Two words come to mind in response to this book: work smart! The authors take bodywork injury and injury prevention seriously, and invite the reader to do so as well.

Who knew that there even existed 332 pages of information related to manual therapy injuries? Topics covered range from nutrition to body mechanics to emotions.

I especially liked the common sense information-based tips for safe practice. For example: to avoid hand and wrist injuries, keep your wrists straight as you work, that is, avoid hyperflexion and hyperextension. Simple as it sounds, it actually never occurred to me as a principle. So thanks for that.

There's great coverage of the issue of pain, not only going over the various causes and types of pain but also the more subtle aspects of pain memory and the fear-avoidance of pain. Therapists need to be aware of these things. Thanks again.

I'm especially glad the authors address the emotional aspects of bodywork for the practioner. Bodyworkers often hold idealistic and unrealistic expectations of what they can and/or should be accomplishing for clients, and therefore set themselves up for injury. They punctuate how important it is to have healthy boundaries with clients as a foundation of self-care.The message of this book is "know yourself, take it easy, and take care of yourself." In other words: work smart.

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